Pharmacokinetic drug evaluation of paliperidone in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder.

INTRODUCTION: This paper reviews the pharmacokinetics, receptor binding, clinical efficacy and safety of paliperidone in the treatment of patients with schizoaffective disorder. Areas covered: We reviewed the literature using keywords 'paliperidone', 'schizoaffective disorder' and 'clinical trials' with a focus on seminal data papers and information that is clinically relevant to the treatment of schizoaffective disorder. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clinically oriented review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of paliperidone including receptor binding, clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability. Expert opinion: Paliperidone is currently the only medication FDA approved specifically for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder. Paliperidone is an active metabolite of risperidone, is minimally metabolized in the liver and is primarily known to be cleared through the kidneys. For this reason, paliperidone could be considered for some patients with schizoaffective disorder who also have hepatic impairment. After correcting for the reduced protein binding that is characteristic of hepatically impaired patients, the Cmax was 12% lower than in healthy subjects while the AUC and CL/F were comparable [14]. In addition, the availability of long acting injectable formulations may be useful for patients who are non-adherent with oral medications. The cost of paliperidone may be a disadvantage.